CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — A hometown favorite spanning generations, the Dixie Roundup Rodeo is back for its 88th year in the heart of historic downtown St. George. Saddle up for three action-packed nights of competition and entertainment, along with plenty of patriotism and Southern Utah pride.
“It’s such a tradition in the community,” rodeo chairman Matt Stillman said. “It represents the heritage of the local people here.”
This year’s Dixie Roundup Rodeo will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6-11 p.m. at the Dixie Sunbowl. And don’t miss the rodeo parade, which returns to its traditional route through downtown St. George. The Saturday parade starts at 9 a.m. on Tabernacle Street in St. George near 200 West going east to 400 East.
All three nights will feature the hilarious antics of veteran rodeo clown and barrel man Randee Munns from Garland, Utah, who has been entertaining crowds at the Dixie Sunbowl for over 30 years. His history with the Dixie Roundup Rodeo goes back to the late 1960s, when he competed in steer wrestling and bull riding.
And don’t miss a dazzling specialty act from Rider Kiesner. The Oklahoma native has performed in all 50 states as well as 15 different countries, winning multiple world championship titles in trick roping, gun spinning and all-around Western entertainment.
Depending on wind conditions, a flag jumper is expected to deliver the stars and stripes at the beginning of each night. United We Pledge will lead a patriotic ceremony to celebrate the 234th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution on Saturday.
Each year, the rodeo committee selects a local citizen to be recognized for their contributions to the community. Rick Roche, a member of the St. George Lions since the early 1970s, will receive the honor of touring the arena as grand marshal.
“He’s a Lions legend,” Stillman said. “That’s almost 50 years of community service.”
The 2022 rodeo queen and princess were selected in May. Rodeo royalty contestants are judged on modeling, speech, impromptu questions, photogenic ability and interview skills, as well as key components of horsemanship. 18-year-old Dalli Holyoak from St. George and 14-year-old Traylyn Dannelly of Enterprise have spent the summer participating in rodeos across Utah and representing the St. George Lions through volunteering at many different events.
The opening night, Thursday, is kids’ night. Children ages 11 and under may enter for free, and instead spend their money on the St. George Lions’ “world-famous” hamburgers and hot dogs.
The beer barn, a new attraction at last year’s rodeo, is coming back. Attendees will also have the chance to win a half of beef in two prize drawings.
Friday is Pink Night, when $1 from every ticket will be set aside for the Intermountain Foundation to benefit breast cancer patients in Southern Utah. Both spectators and rodeo competitors are encouraged to wear pink to show support for breast cancer awareness. Each Pink Night typically raises between $10,000 and $12,000, and the St. George Lions have donated over $100,000 through the years.
The rodeo finals, which Stillman said always sells out quickly, will be held on Saturday. The Dixie Roundup Rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and features some of the best cowboys and cowgirls the West has to offer. Bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing are among the competitive categories.
Admission costs $20 per person for reserved seating, $15 for adults and $5 for kids ages 11 and under. Kids age 2 and younger who can sit on an adult’s lap may enter for free. Tickets can be purchased directly from the St. George Lions at 301 E. 100 South or by calling the rodeo hotline at 435-673-3301. The sales office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.
The Dixie Roundup Rodeo started as a small event put on by the founding members of the St. George Lions. The Dixie Sunbowl has been the rodeo’s home ever since the arena opened in the late 1940s.
Today, the rodeo serves as the only source of revenue for the St. George Lions and supports their charitable contributions to scholarship funds, rodeo clubs, collegiate sports teams and 4-H and Future Farmers of America high school programs in the area. The proceeds also fund the local arm of the Lions International initiative to improve quality of life for the visually impaired.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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Event details
- What: St. George Lions Club Dixie Roundup Rodeo.
- When: Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 15-17, from 6-11 p.m.
- Where: Dixie Sunbowl, 150 S. 400 East, St. George.
- Tickets: Reserved seating $20; adult general admission $15; kids (11 and under) general admission $5.
- Resources: Telephone: 435-673-3301 | Email: [email protected] | Website.
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